Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) with SQE1 & SQE2 online
Introduction
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the national assessment for individuals seeking to qualify as solicitors in England and Wales. Introduced to provide a consistent and accessible route into the legal profession, the SQE assesses whether candidates possess the legal knowledge, practical skills, and professional ethics required to practice as competent solicitors. Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) with SQE1 & SQE2 online. The qualification pathway is designed for both UK graduates and international applicants, creating a single standard that helps ensure every newly qualified solicitor meets the same high level of professional competence. As English law continues to play a significant role in international commerce, finance, arbitration, shipping, technology, and cross-border transactions, the SQE has become an important qualification for aspiring legal professionals seeking careers in the United Kingdom and the global legal market.
Understanding the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination consists of two distinct stages known as SQE1 and SQE2. Together, these assessments evaluate both the legal knowledge and the practical legal skills expected of newly qualified solicitors. Candidates are also required to complete qualifying work experience and satisfy the character and suitability requirements before admission as solicitors. The SQE pathway is flexible because it allows candidates from diverse educational and professional backgrounds to demonstrate their competence through nationally standardised assessments while gaining valuable workplace experience. This modern qualification framework reflects the evolving needs of the legal profession and supports greater accessibility for future solicitors.
SQE1: Testing Functional Legal Knowledge
SQE1 focuses on Functional Legal Knowledge (FLK), ensuring candidates understand the core principles of English and Welsh law and can apply them to realistic legal scenarios. The assessment covers subjects including contract law, criminal law, constitutional and administrative law, tort law, land law, trusts, business law, dispute resolution, property practice, wills and administration of estates, ethics, professional conduct, and legal services. Rather than simply testing memory, SQE1 requires candidates to analyze legal problems, identify relevant legal principles, and determine the most appropriate course of action. Success in SQE1 demonstrates that candidates possess the academic foundation necessary to progress to practical legal training.
SQE2: Assessing Practical Legal Skills
What is SQE2?
SQE2 evaluates whether candidates can apply legal knowledge effectively in professional practice. Through a series of practical assessments, candidates demonstrate skills such as client interviewing, legal analysis, legal research, case and matter analysis, drafting legal documents, writing legal correspondence, advocacy, and advising clients in realistic legal situations. The assessment spans multiple areas of legal practice, enabling candidates to show they can communicate clearly, exercise sound professional judgment, and provide legally accurate advice. SQE2 therefore bridges the gap between academic learning and the day-to-day responsibilities of practising solicitors, ensuring newly qualified professionals are ready to serve clients with competence and integrity.
Career Opportunities and International Recognition
Successfully completing the SQE opens the door to a broad range of legal and commercial careers. Qualified solicitors are employed by international law firms, multinational corporations, financial institutions, government departments, regulatory agencies, technology companies, healthcare organisations, insurance providers, energy companies, charities, and international organisations. Because English law is widely used in international business contracts and dispute resolution, solicitors qualified in England and Wales are highly regarded in many jurisdictions, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Australia, and other Commonwealth countries. The qualification also provides an excellent foundation for specialist careers in international commercial law, corporate law, intellectual property, environmental law, tax law, banking and finance, human rights, maritime law, and international arbitration.
Why Choose the SQE Pathway with Us?
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination offers a modern, transparent, and internationally respected route to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales. By combining rigorous assessment of legal knowledge through SQE1, practical professional skills through SQE2, qualifying work experience, and ethical standards, the SQE ensures that newly qualified solicitors are prepared to meet the demands of today’s increasingly global legal profession. For students, graduates, and foreign-qualified lawyers seeking long-term career opportunities in international legal practice, the SQE represents a valuable investment in professional development and global employability. With the continued growth of cross-border business, international investment, digital commerce, and regulatory compliance, solicitors qualified through the SQE pathway are well positioned to contribute to legal practice and commercial organisations operating across the world. Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) with SQE1 & SQE2 online.
From September 2021, lawyers from abroad and overseas students who wish to qualify in England and Wales can sit the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE allows you to qualify as a solicitor by taking the same exam as domestic candidates.
Unlike the previous system, the SQE offers more flexibility and opportunities for overseas students to qualify in England and Wales, as you can meet most of the requirements from abroad.
Requalifying
Read our guidance for foreign lawyers wishing to re-qualify in England and Wales.
SQE requirements for overseas students
If you’re an overseas student, in order to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales, you’ll need to:
- hold a degree in any subject or an equivalent qualification (such as an apprenticeship) or work experience
- complete two stages of assessment, SQE1 and SQE2
- complete two years of qualifying work experience (QWE)
- satisfy the Solicitor Regulation Authority’s (SRA) character and suitability requirements
Degree-level experience
If you have a degree or equivalent qualification from outside the UK, you can take the SQE if your qualification is:
- shown to be equivalent to either a UK degree or equivalent UK qualification through a UK National Information Centre (ENIC) statement of comparability, or
- an accredited qualification at level 6 (or above) of the European Qualifications Framework
Equivalent experience if you do not have a degree
Even if you do not have a degree, you can take the SQE if you can show work experience equivalent to a UK degree.
This would be a sufficient standard of general education and learning (level 3 equivalent of the Regulated Qualifications Framework) and considerable work-based learning.
Applications for equivalence will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Learn more about equivalent qualifications and experience.
SQE assessments
Exam structure
The SQE is divided into two parts:
- SQE1 consists of two exams in multiple-choice question format
- SQE2 consists of a series of practical assessments of skills through written and oral examinations
Learn more about the structure of the SQE.
Sitting the assessments outside the UK
You can sit the following parts of the SQE at a range of test centres internationally:
- SQE1
- SQE2 written assessments
However, you’ll need to sit the SQE2 oral assessments in England or Wales. The assessments take place over two and a half days.
Note you cannot book your assessment directly through Pearson VUE.
You may not be able to sit your assessment at your nearest centre, as seats are allocated on a first-come first-served basis.
Costs
The total cost of the SQE assessments is £4,564, which breaks down as:
- SQE1 – £1,798
- SQE2 – £2,766
In addition to this, candidates may wish to take courses, or buy resources, to help prepare for the SQE assessments.
How to prepare
The SRA will not require candidates to complete any preparatory courses before sitting the SQE.
However, taking an SQE preparation course may give you the best chance of passing the assessment.
Work experience outside the UK
You can carry out the two-year qualifying work experience (QWE) anywhere in the world, but it must be signed off as meeting the SRA requirements by a solicitor of England and Wales.
QWE can be done at a maximum of four separate organisations, including:
- law firms
- legal clinics in academic institutions
- law centres
- other appropriate organisations
There will be no minimum length of time for placements.
The work experience does not need to be completed in one block directly before qualifying as a solicitor. Candidates can gain experience as you progress through your education, and this can include summer work placements or work as a paralegal, so long as it’s signed off.
Candidates should consider whether a placement will offer enough time to develop the necessary competencies you’ll be seeking to have confirmed and signed off.
Qualifying as a solicitor via the old route
If you’re already on your way to becoming a solicitor by September 2021, you can complete your qualification through the traditional route.
Learn more about transitional arrangements and who qualifies.
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